Being Present is Where Happy Lives

Credit: Pixabay

All we have is the NOW. The past and future are just ideas; things can only happen in the present moment.

How do we stay in the NOW? Not to worry, there are many ways you can become more present each moment in every day.

  One of the most important ways is to have gratitude for what you experience in each moment.  This can be appreciating whoever you are with — your friends or family. Throughout the day, be grateful for and savor each meal.

Connect to the life force running through your body.  For instance, feel your breath, or feel your legs and feet. Feel the clothes that you are wearing on your body.

This keeps you in the present moment because you focus on the sensation of the life energy flowing through your body. When you are focusing on your life force, you are not aware of your past or future.  

 Another technique is to go outside in nature and observe without labeling. Noticing nature has a peaceful, calming effect on our minds and is a great way to reduce stress. Observing nature keeps us in the moment.

Watch the butterflies playing, the birds singing, and the wind brushing the trees. Don’t think or worry about anything else. Just be there.

Another way to be in the moment is to take breaks from social media, which is purposefully designed to be addictive. The person posting videos and pictures of themselves, is posting events from their past.

When people are using social media and scrolling through posts, pictures, and videos, they, too, are watching the past. An alternative to using social media is to do anything to live your own life in the present moment, like reading a book or listening to or playing music.

Another way to be aware of the present moment is to be around animals. They are always in the present.  

Animals never worry about the future, which is one reason why people love spending time with them. They do not judge their owners but instead show unconditional love.

There are many health benefits to staying in the present moment. It is great for mental health because it reduces anxiety and depression. It does this by quieting the mind and reducing racing and negative thoughts.  

Our unexamined mind wants us to worry about our future and ruminate over our past. It does not want us to in be in the present moment, because this part of ourselves does not have our happiness or best interest in mind. Being in the present is where happy lives. It is a place where our ego can’t survive.

Do something you love, and watch discontent melt away. Your joy and bliss will take its place.  Being conscious of the present moment is the key to happiness.

We are the creators of our own world. We can be happy or miserable. I choose to have joy in the present   moment. This gift is available to anyone. You just need to choose it for yourself.